Universal baby carrier cover system

ABSTRACT

A universal baby carrier cover system including a cover having a front panel, a head panel, and two side panels, all of which are assembled together to form an interior configured to cover a baby seated within a baby carrier. Each side panel presents a partial cut-out separating a body part from a foot part, the two side panels are linked at the foot part, the two side panels are free relative to each other at the body part, and the width of each side panel is large enough to enable the two sides panels to at least partly overlap at a central region. The body parts are configured either in an open position to extend in both the left side and the right side directions, or in a closed position to overlap at least partially.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a universal cover for a baby carrier for protecting the baby from precipitation and/or cold, windy, snow weather. The universal cover is suitable for all kinds of baby carriers well known in the art, including but not limited to slings, wraps, and shoulder strap carriers. The universal cover is also suitable for the use as a cushion to pose baby for different treatments. The present invention relates also to a method to fabricate the universal baby carrier cover system.

BACKGROUND

In the market, there are mainly two different kinds of baby carriers. The first kind is shoulder strap carriers as mentioned in the documents U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 2006/0130220 and 2012/0266350. This kind of baby carriers is often composed of two parts: a bag for the baby and a set of straps for the adult. The bag has a shape fitting the torso of the baby and has several openings for the arms and the legs extending outside. The set of straps is configured to be attached to the shoulders of the adult, sometimes with further back crossing or waist belts to improve the supporting force. For this kind of baby carrier, U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 2006/0130220 and 2012/0266350 propose the covers, which can accommodate the baby inside the bag and which can be attached to the straps of the baby carrier.

However, when the baby is sitting towards an adult in the baby carrier, the arms and the feet of the baby extend naturally around the body of the adult. When the baby wants to exercise some movement, his arms and feet always repeat the up and down movements. The existing baby carrier cover as mentioned in U.S. Publication Nos. 2006/0130220 and 2012/0266350 either blocks the free movement of baby or can not shield the arms or the legs any more.

The second kind of baby carrier is called baby wraps and slings, which is a piece of cloth to support an infant from an adult's body. The cloth can englobe the entire body of the baby including the arms and legs. The cloth also covers a large area around the adult's shoulders, back and waist so that they fit closely to the body of the baby and the body of the adult. Since there is no shoulder strap for baby wraps and slings, the existing baby carrier cover as mentioned in U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 2006/0130220 and 2012/0266350 can not be used for this kind of baby carriers.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides a solution to get rid of the above-mentioned inconveniences, which enables a full cover for the entire body of the baby in the baby carrier without any constrain on the movement. In addition, the present invention provides a confined space to pose the baby when the cover is laid on a surface. Thus, it provides a universal solution for the caring of babies.

A universal baby carrier cover system comprising:

a cover including:

a front panel,

a head panel, and

two side panels,

all of which are assembled together to form an interior configured to cover a baby seated within a baby carrier,

wherein

each side panel presents a partial cut-out separating a body part from a foot part,

the two side panels are linked at the foot part,

the two side panels are free relative to each other at the body part, and the width of each side panel is large enough to enable the two sides panels to at least partly overlap at a central region,

the body parts are configured either in an open position to extend in both the left side and the right side directions; or in a closed position to overlap at least partially.

In another aspect, a pair of connectors is optionally configured to be attached to the cover. In another aspect, the head panel is optionally configured in two positions, one presenting a form of a pillow, the other presenting a form of shelter. In yet another aspect, the head panel may be adapted to be attached to the side panels by soft fastening mechanism. Furthermore, the soft fastening mechanism may be realized by inserting the two extremities of the head panel to buttonholes on the side panels either from inside or from outside. Additionally, the foot regions of the side panels are optionally separable and may be connected by detachable connecting means. Moreover, the foot regions of the side panels are optionally fixed by non-detachable connecting means. In another aspect, the side panels may have complementary demountable joining means located at the overlapping region for joining them. In yet a further aspect, the cover may be made from a fabric like fleece, waterproof, breathable. And lastly, the cover is optionally made from a double-side fabric.

A soft fastening mechanism comprises at least two fasteners, a first fastener presenting at least one opening, and a second fastener configured to be employed reversibly between a reduced volume state and an expanded volume state, when the second fastener is in the reduced volume state, the second fastener is adapted to be passed through the opening in the first fastener; when the second fastener is employed in the expanded volume state, the second fastener is adapted to be blocked by the opening in the first fastener.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a complete understanding of this invention, reference should be held to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a back view of a universal baby carrier cover in a closed position with folded connectors;

FIG. 1a illustrates unassembled left and right side panels;

FIG. 1b illustrates the full overlapping of the left side panel and the right side panel;

FIG. 2 illustrates a back view of a universal baby carrier cover in an open position with unfolded connectors;

FIG. 2a illustrates a back view of cover with the head panel in a closed position and the side panels in open position;

FIG. 3 illustrates a frontal, perspective view of an exemplary utilization of the cover according to the present invention covering a baby held by a prior art baby carrier facing towards an adult; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a frontal, perspective view of another exemplary utilization of the cover according to the present invention covering a baby held by a prior art baby carrier facing forward away from an adult.

On these figures, the common structural and functional elements have the same alphanumeric reference.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The complete scope of the invention is defined in the set of claims. The following discussion describes in detail the different embodiments of the present invention. This discussion should not be considered, however, as limiting the present invention to the particular embodiments, since numerous other embodiments can be recognized for the practitioners skilled in the art.

The FIG. 1 illustrates a back view of an assembled universal baby carrier cover 10 in a closed position. The cover includes a front panel 1, a head panel 2 and two side panels 3, 4, all of which can be assembled into an integral body forming an interior configured to cover the baby.

The FIG. 1a illustrates unassembled left side panel 3 and right side panel 4, which are substantially the image of one another with respect to the imaginary line D. In the example illustrated, the two side panels 3,4 have a substantially identical shape and generally in rectangular form. Each side panel 3,4 has a width Wls, Wrs measured between an outer longitudinal edge Elo, Ero and an inner longitudinal edge Eli, Eri of the corresponding panel. Each side panel 3,4 presents, at the inner longitudinal edge Eli, Eri towards the outer longitudinal edge Elo, Ero, a cut-out 31,41, which separates a body part 32, 42 from a foot part 33, 34. It is also possible to have the two side panels with different widths or different forms so far they can realize a certain level of overlapping to provide an effective coverage.

During the assembly process, the two side panels cross each other at the cut-outs 31,41 to form a body overlapping region 34′ and a foot overlapping region 34″. As illustrated in the FIG. 1, while at the body overlapping region 34′, the body part 32 of the left side panel is above the body part 42 of the right side panel; at the foot overlapping region 34″, the foot part 33 of the left side panel is below the foot part 43 of the right side panel. It is also possible to have the opposite configuration for the body overlapping region and the foot overlapping region.

The FIG. 1 shows a partial overlapping situation, with the overlapping regions 34′,34″ extending from one inner longitudinal edge Eri to another Eli. When the cut-out 31, 41 has a depth of a half width of the side panel Wls/2, Wrs/2, the insertion configuration allows to realize a total overlapping of the foot part and the body part with the right inner edge Eri meeting the left outer edge Elo and the right outer edge Ero meeting the left inner edge Eli as illustrated in the FIG. 1 b.

For assembling the cover, the side panels are fixed at the outer edges Elo, Ero, and at the lower edges to the front panel 1. For the foot parts 33,34 at the foot overlapping region 34″, the inner edges Eli, Eri below the cut-out 31, 41 are fixed respectively. For the body parts 32 and 42 at the body overlapping region 34′, the inner edges Eli, Eri above the cut-out 31, 41 are kept free and not fixed. Thus, the inner edges Eli, Eri at the body parts can extend at both left and right side in an open position as illustrated in the FIG. 2.

This design gives the advantage that the baby carrier cover can be configured at two positions. In the closed position in the FIG. 1, the side panels are at least partially overlapped; while in the open position in the FIG. 2, the body parts of the side panels extend at both left and right sides. It is also possible to have other kinds of configurations for the body overlapping region 34′ and the foot overlapping region 34″, for example the left side panel is superimposed above the right side panel or vice versa.

The FIG. 2 illustrates the head panel 2 in an open position. The middle part of the head panel 2 is attached to the front panel 1, while the left and the right side ends of the head panel extend over the width of the front panel and are free from any attachment.

The head panel can be configured in two different positions. In the first position, the non-attached free ends at both sides of the head panel can be folded back to the attached middle part of the head panel to form a pillow. In the second position, the non-attached free ends at both sides of the head panel can be folded or rolled in the direction indicated by the arrows, so that each extremity at each side end becomes a squeezed roller that can be fitted into the buttonhole on the left or the right side panel. The FIG. 1 illustrates the head panel in the form of a shelter realized by inserting the extremities 22 a, 22 b of the head panel 2 into the buttonholes 36, 46. The shelter, which has an upper edge and two side edges, extends perpendicular to the plan of the front panel and two side panels. The multi-layer structure of the shelter, which is a result of folding or rolling, increases the rigidity of the shelter. It is also possible to have only one layer structure of the shelter without folding or rolling.

The above example explains the solution, in which each of different panels is made from a separated piece of fabric. It is also possible to have several different panels made from one piece of fabric, for example, the front panel and the two side panels made from the same piece of fabric. It is also possible to have all the panels made from one unique piece of fabric.

The baby carrier cover system comprises also a pair of connectors 5 to be attached to the cover. The connectors can be realized by wide and comfortable straps 52 with end fixer 51 as illustrated in the FIG. 2. The cover has buttonholes to let the straps passing through. As illustrated in the FIGS. 1 and 2, the head panel 2 has at both side edges the buttonholes 25 a and 25 b, while each side panel has respectively the out buttonhole 36, 46 and the inner buttonhole 35, 45.

The following paragraphs describe different modes of utilization of the baby carrier cover system. The first is to use the cover for a baby inside a baby carrier.

The FIG. 3 shows a frontal perspective view of an adult carrying a baby, who is held by a prior art baby carrier facing towards the adult. In this mode of utilization, the aim is to cover the entire baby including the head. The connection between the cover and the connector is realized by putting the end of one strap through the buttonholes 25 a and 35, and fixing the end of this strap in its fixer 51, which forms a closed shoulder strap. The same is realized at another side with the end of the strap passing through the buttonholes 25 b and 45 and to form another closed shoulder strap. When the adult holds the two shoulder straps, the cover is in an open position, with the two side panels being pulled extended, with the head panel being pulled upwards. The adult can directly cover the entire baby by putting on the two shoulder straps. To facilitate the usage, different kinds of attachment can be used to fix the shoulder straps to the baby carrier. For example, a broadband loop with velcro to bind the shoulder strap to the baby carrier.

As illustrated in the FIG. 3, the baby is held by the baby carrier with his legs extending around the waist of the adult. The front panel 1 covers the back side of the baby. The shoulder straps 52 pull in one hand the head panel 2 upwards to cover the head of the baby, in other hand pull the side panels to cover the arms and the legs of the baby.

If the baby is held by the baby carrier with his legs falling down naturally, the foot overlapping region 34″ can accommodate the legs. The side panels in the open position wrap the torso of the adult to provide an improved shielding effect for the baby inside the cover.

When the shelter of the head panel is in the multi-layer structure, the extension of the shelter can be adjusted by folding/unfolding or rolling/unrolling the shelter brim. This gives a simple and flexible way to adjust the coverage according to the weather. In this mode of realization, the baby carrier cover can shield the baby entirely from rain, snow, wind, strong light etc.

FIG. 4 illustrates a frontal, perspective view of another example of an adult carrying the baby, who is held by a prior art baby carrier facing forward away from the adult. In this mode of utilization, the aim is to allow the baby to discover the outside world. The connection between the cover and the connector is the same as the one in the FIG. 3.

It is possible to have the head panel in different forms: either simply let the shelter of the head panel fall down naturally forward, or further roll or to fold the head panel to form a scarf to shield the region between the chin and the neck of the baby. The adult can also roll down even further the head panel if no shielding effect is expected. The arms of the baby are protected by the two side panels, while the feet of baby are accommodated by the foot overlapping region 34″.

The universal cover has an advantage to provides also a function of cushion to pose the baby. The FIG. 2a illustrates a back view of a universal baby carrier cover with the head panel closed in a shelter form and with the two side panels in open positions. When the cover is put with the front panel lying on a surface, the cover becomes a universal cushion. The baby can be put inside the cover with his back lying on the front panel. The shelter provides a protection against the air flow for the baby head. The left and the right extremities 22 a, 22 b of the head panel are inserted into the buttonholes 36, 46 from external sides. It is also possible to insert the extremities into the buttonholes from inner side of the two side panels.

At the right side panel, the extremity 22 b in the form of a squeezed roller is inserted into the buttonhole 46. The extremity 22 a is inserted in the same manner into the buttonhole 36 at the left side panel. After the insertion, the squeezed roller is unfolded with the extremity 22 a expending in a large volume, which provides a function of blocking. In this way, a soft fastening mechanism is provided to attach the head panel 2 to the side panels 3,4.

The soft fastening mechanism is not limited to the given embodiment of squeezed rollers and buttonholes. In general, a soft fastening mechanism can comprise two parts, with the first part presenting an opening, and the second part presenting a structure employable between a reduced volume state and an expanded volume state. In the reduced volume state, the second part is inserted into or released from the opening; while in the expanded volume state, the second part is blocked by the opening.

According to the size of the baby, the space delimited by the shelter is adjusted by the length of the squeezed roller inserted into the buttonholes. In addition, the unfolded extremities 22 of the head panel serve as buffers to further limit the free space. By touching the soft walls of the shelter and the buffers, a young baby can feel the physical boundary of his environment, which ensures the early age baby.

The baby can be laid on the cover to change the diaper, to clean the face, even to let have a nap under the supervision. The side panels can be open or closed to cover the baby according to the environment temperature.

For different functions, the cover can be made with different materials. For example, the water proof fabric can shield the baby from the rain and snow. When the cover is used as a cushion, the water proof fabric can protect the baby from any wet surface. In addition, the material can be made of any material that keeps warm, e.g. fleece fabric etc. It is also possible to use light obscuring fabric to shield the light. It is also possible to use cotton, silk, and any other kind of breathable material adapted to the usage for baby.

In order to realize multi-functions, it is recommended to overlap the covers with different fabrics, for example, with a fleece fabric cover as the inner layer and a water proof fabric cover as the outer layer. The advantage is to adapt to different conditions by simply combining and separating the two covers with different materials. It is also possible to have a double-side cover, with one unique cover having two different kinds of fabrics respectively in the inner and out sides. This cover is reversible to be used in both sides with all the above explained functions. The pockets can be added at different positions in different panels to receive the accessories. 

1. A universal baby carrier cover system comprising a cover including: a front panel; a head panel; and two side panels; all of which are assembled together to form an interior configured to cover a baby seated within a baby carrier; wherein each side panel presents a partial cut-out separating a body part from a foot part; the two side panels are linked at the foot part; the two side panels are free relative to each other at the body part; and the width of each side panel is large enough to enable the two sides panels to at least partly overlap at a central region; and the body parts are configured either in an open position to extend in both the left side and the right side directions, or in a closed position to overlap at least partially.
 2. The system according to claim 1, wherein a pair of connectors are configured to be attached to the cover.
 3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the head panel is configured in two positions, one presenting a form of a pillow, the other presenting a form of shelter.
 4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the head panel is adapted to be attached to the side panels by a soft fastening mechanism.
 5. The system according to claim 4, wherein the soft fastening mechanism is realized by inserting two extremities of the head panel to buttonholes on the side panels either from inside or from outside.
 6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the foot regions of the side panels are separable and are connected by detachable connectors.
 7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the foot regions of the side panels are fixed by non-detachable connectors.
 8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the side panels have complementary demountable joints located at the overlapping region for joining them.
 9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the cover is made from a fabric-like fleece which is waterproof and breathable.
 10. The system according to claim 1, wherein the cover is made from a double-side fabric.
 11. (canceled)
 12. A universal baby carrier cover system comprising a cover including: a front panel; a first side panel including a first outer longitudinal edge, a first cut-out and a first inner longitudinal edge, the first outer longitudinal edge coupled to the front panel; and a second side panel cooperating with the front panel and the first side panel to form an interior, the second side panel including a second outer longitudinal edge, a second cut-out and a second inner longitudinal edge, the second outer longitudinal edge coupled to the front panel, wherein the first cut-out and the second cut-out separate a body overlapping region from a foot overlapping region, the foot overlapping region substantially enclosed and configured to accommodate feet of a baby, and wherein the cover is movable between a first position in which a first portion of the first side panel and a second portion of the second side panel partially overlap each other, and a second position in which the first portion of the first side panel and the second portion of the second side panel move away from each other.
 13. The system according to claim 12, wherein when the cover is in the first position, the second inner longitudinal edge is positioned closer to the first outer longitudinal edge than the first inner longitudinal, and the first inner longitudinal edge is positioned closer to the second outer longitudinal edge than the second inner longitudinal edge.
 14. The system according to claim 12, wherein the first cut-out extends from the first inner longitudinal edge toward the first outer longitudinal edge, and the second cut-out extends from the second inner longitudinal edge toward the second outer longitudinal edge.
 15. The system according to claim 12, further comprising a head panel attached to the front panel at a middle portion.
 16. The system according to claim 15, wherein the head panel is configured to move between a first position forming of a pillow and a second position forming a shelter.
 17. A universal baby carrier cover system comprising a cover including: a front panel; a first side panel including a first outer longitudinal edge, a first cut-out and a first inner longitudinal edge, the first outer longitudinal edge opposing the first inner longitudinal edge and coupled to the front panel; and a second side panel cooperating with the front panel and the first side panel to form an interior, the second side panel including a second outer longitudinal edge, a second cut-out and a second inner longitudinal edge, the second outer longitudinal edge opposing the second inner longitudinal edge and coupled to the front panel, wherein the first inner longitudinal edge includes a first free portion and a first fixed portion separated by the first cut-out, the first fixed portion fixed to the second side panel and the first free portion allowed to move relative to the second side panel, and wherein the second inner longitudinal edge includes a second free portion and a second fixed portion separated by the second cut-out, the second fixed portion fixed to the first side panel and cooperating with the first side panel to form a foot overlapping region, the first free portion allowed to move relative to the first side panel.
 18. The system of claim 17, wherein the cover is movable between a first position in which the first free portion of the first side panel and the second free portion of the second side panel at least partially overlap each other, and a second position in which the first free portion of the first side panel and the second free portion of the second side panel move away from each other.
 19. The system of claim 17, wherein the foot overlapping region is substantially enclosed and configured to accommodate feet of a baby.
 20. The system of claim 17, wherein the first cut-out extends from the first inner longitudinal edge toward the first outer longitudinal edge, and the second cut-out extends from the second inner longitudinal edge toward the second outer longitudinal edge.
 21. The system according to claim 17, further comprising a head panel attached to the front panel at a middle portion. 